2004 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 220 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 11 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 16 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
220 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Structure, Aug 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER BARS WERE CORRODED THROUGH AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 21, 2017
WHILE TRYING TO REFULE THE GASOLINE WILL SUDDENLY "SPRAY" FROM THE TANK. VEHICLE STATIONARY.
Engine, May 8, 2017
CRANK SHAFT BOLT ISSUES. I AM ON MY 3RD HARMONIC BALANCER AND NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING IT IS THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. . I CALLED A&B KIA AND THEY SAID NO ISSUES . I HAVE RECEIVED A CLAIM LETTER FOR THIS ISSUE AND A&B KIA IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 19, 2016
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. WE ARE A FAMILY OF FOUR. ONE OF US OPEN ONE OF THE REAR DOORS AND THE HANDLE CAME OUT COMPLETELY. I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAN BE REPAIR OR NOT. I COVER THE HOLE WITH TAPE TO PROTECT THE INNER PARTS OF THE DOOR FROM THE WATER. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WITH THE HANDLE OF THE OTHER REAR DOOR. BUT IN THIS CASE IT DOES NOT COME OUT COMPLETELY AND I USE TAPE TO MAINTAIN IT IN POSITION. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THE PERSONS IN THE BACK SITS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS FROM THE INSIDE ONE OF THE PERSONS IN THE FRONT SITS HAVE TO GET OUT THE CAR AND OPEN THE DOOR THAT STILL HAVE THE TAPED HANDLE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO AFFECT THE MECHANISM OF THE INTERIOR HANDLES OF THE REAR DOORS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE TAPED HANDLE IS GOING TO BRAKE OR WHEN IS GOING TO BRAKE. I READ IN THE INTERNET THAT THIS A PROBLEM OF THE SORENTOS OF SEVERAL YEARS. SOME OF THE PERSONS IN THE INTERNET ASK WHY KIA IS NOT MAKING A RECALL. I HAVE A DAUGHTER OF 16 YEARS AND A SON OF ALMOST 15 YEARS. MY SON DOES NOT HAVE MANY LIMITATIONS, BUT HE HAS A SYNDROME. I AM INCLUDING PHOTOS OF THE DOORS.
Engine, Oct 19, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Structure, Oct 10, 2016
WHOLE DRIVING DOWN ROAD STARTED TO LOOSE CONTROL. UPON BRINGING TO A SERVICE STATION FOUND OUT REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY LEAVING SUSPENSION HANGING AND NOT DRIVABLE.
Power train, Sep 13, 2016
CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE WITH APPROX 75,000 MILES. KIA ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN AND REPLACED THE BOLT. BUT THE MOTOR WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT BROKE AND CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEATED AND WAS UNDRIVABLE. IT REQUIRED A NEW MOTOR. NOT HAVING $ TO REPLACE MOTOR & KIAS ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY. VEHICLE SAT AT A REPAIR SHOP FOR 2 YEARS & THEY FILED FOR AN ABANDONED TITLE. AT THE TIME VALUED AT APPROX $7500. WASTED!!!! THANKS KIA!
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 12, 2016
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS WOULDN'T TURN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS DYING. IT HAPPENS A BOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME AND WHEN I GOT IT THERE I TOLD MY HUSBAND. HE LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME MY HARMONIC BALANCER WAS LOOSE AND IT LOOKED TO HAVE SNAPPED THE BOLT. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THE BROKEN BOLT OUT AND GET IT FIXED. I LOOKED UP WHAT TO DO AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON 28TH THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, Sep 4, 2016
HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY BOLT BROKE. VERY BAD DESIGN. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT BROKE OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. BOLT SNAPPED OFF INSIDE CRANKSHAFT.
Suspension, Structure, Aug 8, 2016
PURCHASED USED, WAS DRIVING TO GRANDSON'S BALL GAME, WHEN CAR STARTED MAKING FUNNY NOISE AND ACTED AS THE THE REAR END WAS GOING TO FALL OUT, WE PULLED OVER IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, GOT OUT AND LOOKED, COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING, HAD DAUGHTER FOLLOW US HOME, JUST IN CASE, TOOK IT TO FRIEND WHO NOTICED THE REAR BRACKET ARMS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT , LOOKS LIKE IT IS WHAT HOLDS THE REAR END IN PLACE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, I PAID OVER $5000 USED AND I CAN'T JUST PARK IT, I THINK KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MISHAP, IT IS NOT LIKE IT CAN JUST BE FIXED, IT NEEDS REPLACED, SO I'M THINKING IT WOULD BE A MAJOR JOB, I'VE READ MANY MANY OTHER FORUMS AFTER FINDING THIS OUT ABOUT MINE AND RESEARCHING, I"M SURE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SERIOUS OR EVEN LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM, I'M NOT SURE I WOULD WANT TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE, IF IT IS DANGEROUS, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS PROBLEM, IS THIS A MINOR OR MAJOR PROBLEM, IS THERE MORE HOLDING THAT REAR END IN PLACE THEN JUST THOSE RUSTED OUT ARMS OR BRACKETS? WOULD YOU WANT YOUR DAUGHTER DRIVING THIS?, I DON'T KNOW IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS AWARE OF NOT, IF SO WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED, I WOULD HATE TO THINK I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MYSELF AND GRANDBABIES AND SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP, I"M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL THE TROUBLE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT I" READING ABOUT. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS THING, IF IT HAD NEVER WENT UP ON A RACK WE WOULD BE NONE THE WISER AND WOULD STILL BE DRIVING DAILY JUST AS IF WE DID NOT KNOW, BUT NOW THAT I KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE, THERE IS TO MUCH NONSENSE CAR DEALERS GET AWAY WITH ANYWAY FOR US CONSUMERS TO WORRY ABOUT OUR LIVES OR SOMEONE ELSE'S WHILE DRIVING. WILL THE REAR END FALL OUT? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE? YOU TELL ME? WOULD YOU DRIVE IT?
Suspension, Power train, Jul 29, 2016
RUSTED BRACKETS POSING A DANGEROUS SAFETY RISK, 2004 KIA SORENTO WITH 162,000 MILES. THE ENTIRE BRACKET HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH. THE FRAME REAR CROSS MEMBER ALSO RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE CONTROL ARMS IS DETACHED FROM THE REAR END ALSO CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS WATER TO STAY INSIDE THE HOLLOW CROSS MEMBER THAT CAUSED THE CORROSION. DRAIN OR WEEP HOLES IN THE CROSS MEMBER AND AN ANTI-CORROSION COATING WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS. WHEN THE BRACKET(S) BREAKS THE REAR AXLE IS NO LONGER HELD IN PLACE THERE ARE REPORTS ON NHTSA WHERE THESE BRACKETS HAVE ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN APPEARING ON THE OLDER CARS WHERE THE ENTIRE FRAME AND REAR END WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE MORE OF THESE FAILURES AND THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FATAL ACCIDENTS FROM LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. I AM AWARE THAT IN EUROPE KIA HAS BEEN REPAIRING SORENTOS.
Suspension, Power train, Jul 17, 2016
RUSTED BRACKETS RECALLED IN EUROPE, REFUSED BY KIA TO REPLACE EVEN THO THEY WERE RUSTED UNDER WARRANTY, POSE A DANGEROUS SAFETY RISK TO UNSUSPECTING OWNERS. THE ENTIRE BRACKET HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. PRESENTED WITH A SMALL SQUEAK IN REAR. I ASKED KIA TO SEND PEOPLE LETTERS WARNING AND THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE REQUEST. HOW KIA IS GETTING AWAY WITH SEVERE RUST, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARDS IN ALL VEHICLES, IS BEYOND ME. I KNOW THEY ARE LESS EXPENSIVE, IS IT WORTH IT? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND AT LEAST LET THE PUBLIC KNOW IT IS HAPPENING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SEVERELY INJURED OR GOD FORBID DIES. THERE ARE THOUSANDS STILL ON THE ROAD. I PAID FOR THEIR DIAGNOSTIC WORTHLESSNESS TO MAKE SURE IT WAS DOCUMENTED.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jul 6, 2016
I WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 KIA SORENTO WITH MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AT 45 MPH THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AS ALL THE LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. I LOST ALL POWER, BUT I WAS ABLE TO CRUISE TO PARK NEXT TO A CURB, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET, KEY SHAFT, DAMPER PULLEY, AND CRANK BOLT ALL WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Structure, Jul 6, 2016
EXCESSIVE RUST TO THE FRAME. IT IS SO BAD NOW YOU CAN POKE HOLES IN THE FRAME WITH YOUR FINGER. IF IT IS THIS BAD NOW IT WAS ALREADY RUSTED BADLY AT OR BEFORE 10 YEARS OLD.
Structure, Jun 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR FRAME THAT CONNECTED THE ROTARY BAR WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. UPDATED 03/07/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS FIXED UPDATED 6/20/18*JB
Other or unspecified, May 30, 2016
TOOK CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR SMALL LEAK IN RADIATOR AND ASKED THAT HE CHECK THE BRAKES BECAUSE I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON CHECKING THE BRAKES (WHICH WERE O.K.) HE FOUND THE REAR FRAME TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. HE NOTED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS THERE WAS A RISK OF REAR DRIVETRAIN DETACHING FROM VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM KNOWN TO KIA -- AS THERE WAS A RECALL IN EUROPE FOR THIS PROBLEM-- BUT NOT THE US. I ALREADY CONTACTED KIA AND THE ONLY RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHEN WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. KIA DOES NOT GIVE ANY GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE US FOR THE TEST OR ANYTHING ELSE. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO. HOW CAN WE GET KIA TO ACT RESPONSIBLY? THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM
Suspension, Apr 8, 2016
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO NHTSA ID #10852665. I CONTACTED MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RUSTED FRAME. SUGGESTED TOWING TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO CALLED SAYING IT WAS BAD AND TO CALL KIA BACK. CALLED KIA AND A CASE WAS OPENED #K3156514. WAS TOLD I WOULD HEAR BACK BY WEDNESDAY THE 6TH OF APRIL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RETURN CALLS, LEFT 2 VOICEMAILS CAR IS STILL AT DEALER, ITS BEEN 8 DAYS AND NO INFO..KIA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! THIS COMPLAINT STARTS AT 2003 AND SO FAR HAVE READ UP TO 2005 FOR THI ISSUE. EUROPE RECALLED IT BUT NOT HERE? MILEAGE WAS 92000 NOT 82000.
Structure, Mar 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME HAD CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Suspension, Structure, Mar 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY BAR/TORQUE BAR THAT SUPPORTS THE REAR SUSPENSION FOR THE TIRE WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE PIPING. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REPAIR OR SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR
Suspension, Mar 22, 2016
MECHANIC AT A GAS STATION TOLD MY MIL SHE NEEDED A NEW REAR AXLE. WHEN I CHECKED THE AXLE I FOUND THE TOP LEFT STABILIZER BRACKET WAS BADLY RUSTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER TO GET A RECALL REPAIR. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH ONLY 60K MILES. THE DEALER HAS NOT COMPLETED THE ESTIMATE. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVE-ABLE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL
Electrical system, Equipment, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 18, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WITHIN LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTINUED TO INDICATE FULL WHETHER THE CONTACT REFUELED THE VEHICLE OR NOT. ALSO, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED OFF, SMOKE EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LIFTED THE HOOD TO FAN AWAY THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER JOB. ANOTHER CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. NEITHER A FIRE NOR A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL WOULD SPEW OUT OF THE TANK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE IN 2012. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jan 21, 2016
I BROUGHT A 2004 KIA SORENTO USED IN JUNE 2015 WITH 96,000 MILES ON IT AND NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS MAKING NOISE AFTER A SHORT TIME IT WASENT THAT BAD I THOUGHT, UNTIL IT STARTED GETTING WORSE. THEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND GOT A CALL FROM THEM AND I WAS TOLD THE BLANCER PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE CRANKSHAFT AND WAS A BIG ISSUE AND THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW IF THEY COULD GET IT OUT, THEY DID BUT FOUND THE SPROCKET WAS DAMAGED ALSO, I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THEIR WAS A RECALL AND FOUND MANY KIA OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. I HAD TO PAY 1300 DOLLARS TO GET THIS FIXED BECAUSE OF A BAD PART BY KIA. I'M VERY UPSET.
Suspension, Jan 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE AXLE. UPDATED 03/01/16.*JB
Engine, Dec 30, 2015
ON 10-4-2015 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 FROM HASTINGS, NE TO KEARNEY, NE. MY GIRLFRIEND HEARD A BANG FROM THE ENGINE, SHORTLY AFTER THAT NOISE I LOST ALL POWER. I MANAGED TO STEER OUR 2004 KIA SORENTO ONTO AN OFF RAMP. I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THE HARMONIC BALANCER AND THE LOWER TIMING SPROCKET LAYING ON THE SKID PLATE. WE HAD HER BROTHER-IN-LAW COME GET US. WE PUT THE KIA SORENTO UP ON HIS TRAILER AND TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF. AFTER FIXING THIS BOLT, AND PUTTING EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER HE THEN INFORMED US THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN THE ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN SITTING EVERY SINCE. *JS